Facebook hits iPadSan Francisco (AFP) Oct 10, 2011 -
Facebook on Monday landed on the iPad, releasing software that lets members of the leading online social network connect on Apple's hot-selling tablet computers.

The release of an iPad application is part of a move by Facebook to stay in synch with modern lifestyles that revolve increasingly around Internet-linked wireless mobile gadgets.

"Many of you have been asking about Facebook for iPad," Facebook mobile engineer Leon Dubinsky said in a blog post. "It's finally here."

Features added to the Facebook iPad software include being able to chat with friends or watch high-resolution streaming video, according to the engineer.

Facebook also upgraded its iPhone application to allow faster online searches, simpler navigation of pages, and access to more games and other socially-oriented mini-programs, Dubinsky said.

Approximately 800 million people belong to the Palo Alto, California-based social network.

South Korea's LG Electronics Monday launched a new smartphone with ultra-high-speed network technology in a bid to catch up with rivals Apple and Samsung.

LG, the world's third-largest handset maker, said its Optimus LTE smartphone based on 4G wireless technology offers photos and videos with "true natural colours" that are easier on the eye than other smartphones.

The 4G wireless service, based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology, promises fast data traffic and quicker access to applications such as television programmes, movies and video streaming.

Samsung Electronics, LG's bigger rival and the world's number two handset maker, last month introduced a new version of its popular Galaxy S II smartphone based on the technology.

"Since mobile devices are widely expected to become the main platform for media consumption in the LTE era, high-resolution displays on smartphones will be even more necessary," Park Jong-Seok, chief of LG Electronics' mobile unit, said in a statement.

The firm is battling to turn around its loss-making handset operations, where it lags Samsung Electronics and Apple in offering high-margin smartphones packed with special features.

The company replaced its chief executive last year after its mobile unit posted a record loss in the second quarter of 2010 due to a falling share of the booming global smartphone market.

Analysts cautiously expressed optimism, saying LG, after a year-long struggle, is set for continued profit growth based on increased sale of smartphones and ample patents it owns in the new high-speed technologies.

Apple says iPhone 4s sales over 1 mn in first dayWashington (AFP) Oct 10, 2011 -
Apple said Monday that pre-orders of the new model of its hit iPhone 4 topped one million units in the first 24 hours.

Worldwide advance orders for the iPhone 4S, said to be much faster than its predecessor and with improved video and photo capabilities, set a record for an Apple product, the company said.

"The first day pre-orders for iPhone 4S have been the most for any new product that Apple has ever launched," said Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president, in a statement.

The smart phone, which will sell for between $199 and $399, depending on memory capacity, will be available in Apple stores in the United States from October 14.

It will be available in 22 other countries, including much of Europe, by the end of October.

The 4S was launched on October 4, one day before visionary Apple co-founder and longtime Steve Jobs died following a long battle with cancer. His health failing, Jobs had stepped down as chief executive in August and was replaced by Tim Cook, who presided over the launch of the new iPhone.

Battle to sell the iPhone heats up in JapanTokyo (AFP) Oct 7, 2011
Japan's third-largest mobile carrier Softbank on Friday unveiled a lower monthly fee for the new iPhone than bigger rival KDDI, as competition for smartphone users heats up among the nation's mobile firms.
Softbank's exclusive grip on the iPhone in Japan ended with KDDI having struck a deal to also sell the popular device. Both firms began taking advance orders Friday ahead of the iPhone 4S ... read more

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